Jack Blackburn

Jack O. Blackburn 83, died at 11:30 a.m. July 2, 2009, at Baton Rouge Senior Health Facility. He was born September 12, 1925, in Waynesfield, Ohio, to Lloyd W. and Leona B. McGinnis Blackburn, who preceded him in death. On January 8, 1955, he married Lucille Nassr, who died February 26, 2004. Mr. Blackburn and his wife, Lucille, owned and operated the Delite Cafe for many years. He then worked for Superior Metal Products and retired from the State of Ohio unemployment office that he managed. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church where he sang in the choir. He was a member of Lima Host Lions Club where he had served as president and was the song leader for many years. He was recently named a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award in Lionism. He was a lifelong member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1275, American Legion Post 96, Elks Lodge 54, Eagles Aerie 370 and Knights of Columbus, Lima. He served in the Army during World War II from November 16, 1943 to April 25, 1946. He was a 1943 graduate of Lima Central High School and attended The Ohio State University. Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Wanda Blackburn, of Greendale, Wisconsin and Virginia Pietrzak, of Toledo, Ohio; nieces and nephews, the Rev. Martin Nassr, of Sandusky, Ohio, Melanie (David) Noe, of Toledo, Ohio, and Michael (Bobbie) Nassr, Michael (Loraine) Pietrzak, Marion (Robert) Lawrence, and Christine (Henry) Martinez, all of Atlanta;Carolyn & (Cyrus) Moazed of Maryland;Amel Yarid of W. Virginia; Janie Yarid of W. Virginia and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Reed Blackburn, and a stepmother, Irene Blackburn. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Charles Catholic Church. The Rev. Martin Nassr will officiate. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery with military rites by VFW Post 1275. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, where a Lions Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Catholic Church or Lima Host Lions Club.